Culture Shock Returning to the USA From Europe (in NYC) 🗽🇺🇸

Have you ever been to New York? What are some things that surprised you about it? Thanks to Unbound Merino for the T-Shirt! 👕Check out their Merino Wool Travel Apparel: bit.ly/unboundmerino_twk (my referral link

I tell this story a lot. I had some NYC lawyer friends visit me in Bangkok for a couple of weeks in 2018. At the end of their stay her husband made the unsolicited comment, “I’ve been here 2 weeks and I haven’t heard anyone yelling at anyone else!”

Lived in NYC for 6 years; NYC is America's hustle culture on steriods. Loved living there but got burnt of from the work culture and trying to keep up with the sky high rent and moved to Chicago (aka NYC lite). After COVID finally decided to move out of the US entirely to digital nomad and move to Europe (most likely Spain) for a higher quality of life, safety and overall peace of mind.

A big lesson for me after traveling quite a bit is that every country has good and bad parts. What really makes a difference to your experience is (first) your attitude going into it and (second) the people you surround yourself with. People are everything. Bonus if you have friends in those countries because your fun there will multiply.

I'm from Manhattan NYC originally. Been living in NorCal for almost 40 years. Sounds like not much has changed. Don't miss NYC at all! I remember coming back from a vacation in Scotland decades ago and feeling that culture shock then. The noise, pollution and hustle and bustle really struck me. Thanks for the video!

As a European/British person visiting New York, it’s the most incredible city in the world. Maybe as a tourist, one is able to step back & avoid the wild whirlwind of everyday New Yorker life. Also due to the fact American/New York culture is so popular, it feels like you’ve stepped into a movie set, which is a surreal feeling. Granted, there is definitely a faster pace of life, but that can be said of any large major city. The few times I have holidayed in New York, the vast majority of people have been charming & helpful. There is certainly a slower pace of life in most parts of the UK too. But I’ve found people are people wherever you go in the world, and most are happy to help & guide visitors.

I’m with you Kristin-give me slow European culture & great food any day over fast American culture & bad food that’s making the health care industry #1. I survived NYC 1yr at 25yo & never again!

I am Swiss living in US for 2 decades. I don’t have the culture shock phenomena , but I guess because I frequently traveling between both continents.. I can quickly switch my mind between countries.

I’ve lived in the UK, Spain and France, and one thing that I’ve learned in my life is that there’s no such thing as “European” culture. There are instead many cultures, just as there are in the US, and big city culture will always differ from small city or town culture wherever you go. (Some of your descriptions of NYC — like the rushing, the pushing, the lack of casual conversation between strangers, the honking and sirens, could describe my daily life in Paris to a T.)

I once walked from 14th Street to Times Square. I was tired when I got there. Times Square was so overwhelmingly noisy it was oppressive! I lived in Staten Island near the VNZ Bridge & Expressway. The police were constantly chasing speeders up & down the Expressway! There were two fire houses, a hospital and a motor cycle club nearby. Sometimes the noise scared me and my cats! We would all jump! I recently moved to a small town in Eastern Pennsylvania and it is SO QUIET!

You pretty much covered it, however ..I lived in NY for 30yrs till I moved to Newcastle upon Tyne in England, and what always upsets me is How dirty and greasy NY is, whenever I go back I never feel clean, it is like the air itself is grubby, the underground is filthy also, and the food, don't get me started, I recently learned about all the garbage that is injected into America's food, it all looks twice as big and perfect but tastes of nothing, I very rarely return home now as my family would.much rather come to the UK and visit me which suits me down to the ground, to be honest I wish they would live here with me and see how life should be lived, and how real genuine relationships can be forged without all the time constraints and hassle and bustle, Americans talk the talk about freedom, but it is only when you leave you realise what true freedom is

I moved from NYC to my native country of Colombia a few days ago(after being there for 22 years), so this video is not only perfect for me, I also happen to agree with everything Kristin feels! I’m thrilled to be back.

Being pushed...that hustle vibe "me-me-me" was ONE of the reasons I wanted to turn around and go back to the UK...and I was at Phila Intern'l!!! I'm still considering moving back to PA, (Phila born, raised in the suburbs) I miss the (REAL) cheesesteaks man! That's "Americana" to me!👍🏻😄 As far as food quality, UK is better; not as sugary. Someone pointed out that obesity was not an issue where I lived (East End and Surrey) in comparison to here in the US. Great content as usual!👍🏻

You said it “work-life balance” in the US is a little out of whack. It is worn as a badge of honor to the point that people will look at you funny if you are not super busy, like you don’t work hard enough.

I live in Scotland but lived in London for 10yr. I would never return to live in a big city. I did return to London in May for a few days, i enjoyed the visit but...wow...the air quality, the noise etc 😢 The population of Scotland is Approximately 5 million, so lots of space to fill your lungs with fresh air😊😊

I’m from London and have been to NYC four times. I’ve loved it every time. Ive also been to Boston and Vegas but NY is my favourite. I can’t wait to go back but I would never ever move to the states because of how employees are treated.

Sooo amazing to catch up with you! Hope your viewers come visit NYC. 😊😊😊

I really like your friend - well spoken and obviously very bright. It would be fun to travel with you both!!

My biggest shock is mainly how backwards the US is the second when you land. The jetway from the plane is usually a closed tube, whereas most EU airports, these are made out of glass. Once in the airport, all looks old and the areas where you go through lines are always temporarily set up even though these have been there for years. The immigration parts also are like old school. No facial recognition and automation. Once you go out of the airport and you are in a city with public transport, the transport system is so old and dirty that you think you are back like 50 years. The infrastructure is so out of date and falling apart and that is especially true for New York. All is just patched up to make/keep it work, no money spent to make it new.

This conversation you two had is VERY interesting! SO many fascinating observations! I confess, however, that I have never been to NY, and I would probably not care for so many people around me all the time: I need my alone time, on a regular basis. However, for those who love NY, I can understand the attraction. Just not for me, I think. Thank you, Kristin, for yet another great presentation!